AR-15 Feeding Problem

Lurch37 · March 10, 2024, 08:44 PM

Hello all. A friend of mine is having a feeding problem with his AR-15 in which when firing the gun it will jam repeatedly, but only when chambering the right hand side cartridge. He has tried steel and brass cased rounds, with the steel showing a bright scar or scratch horizontally on the upper part of the main case body, under the shoulder. The brass rounds that do not chamber will be actually bent at the same spot on the case.

All spent rounds will show this scar or scratch as well. He has switched mags and the BCG with another AR he has, the receiver is clean and oiled, a round will drop in the chamber with no problems, the feed ramps look ok. Still the problem exists.

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tangolima · March 10, 2024, 10:15 PM

Something wrong with the right feed ramp?

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

stagpanther · March 10, 2024, 11:28 PM

Looking at the pics I would say the cartridges are not being successfully stripped from the magazines; the bolt carrier is hitting the case body with enough force to dent the cases, even bend the entire cartridge, my guess is the cartridge gets dragged or popped out with the previous feed and is resting at an angle against the barrel extension/magwell when the carrier slams into it.

ballardw · March 10, 2024, 11:35 PM

With changes of mag and BCG I would suspect something in the magazine is well is making the magazine alignment questionable.

Maybe crud, burrs on something or magazine catch? Look inside the well and see if anything appears to be showing more wear or just plain crud caught on something.

stagpanther · March 11, 2024, 04:58 AM

Further NetRX:

1. When the jam occurs--is there a spent case also in the upper?
2. Can you put one cartridge in the magazine, drop the bolt on it and have the rifle successfully cycle, fire, eject and lock back the BCG? When I say lock back the BCG--I mean can it subsequently be properly released by the bolt release (sometimes the bold head can hang up on something else making it appear as if it was properly captured)?

Quote:

With changes of mag and BCG I would suspect something in the magazine is well is making the magazine alignment questionable.

That is my present "leading contender" as well; especially if there is a tolerance issue between the upper and lower.

ocharry · March 11, 2024, 09:17 AM

i guess my question would be

is this a new build or was the rifle running before and this started out of no where??

Shadow9mm · March 11, 2024, 10:13 AM

Is the gun factory built, or home built?

Lurch37 · March 11, 2024, 11:49 AM

This is a factory built rifle and fairly new with the problem always present. It may have 200 rounds thru it. It is my understanding that when the jams occur the bolt is always behind the round being chambered and sometimes the round is almost fully chambered. He has also tried the forward assist on those jams but that didn't help. I will ask about your other concerns. Thank you.

stagpanther · March 11, 2024, 12:03 PM

Quote:

This is a factory built rifle and fairly new with the problem always present.

Problem solved--send it back to the manufacturer.
Hopefully it doesn't say anywhere in the owners manual to not use steel case ammo and your friend followed the break-in instructions (if any).

rmh3481 · March 11, 2024, 03:28 PM

Take a close look in the chamber. There might be a small piece of something stuck down in there.

Shadow9mm · March 11, 2024, 05:51 PM

Id say try some different mags, could be a bad mag or spring.

Lurch37 · March 11, 2024, 07:37 PM

He has tried half a dozen different mags and has inspected the chamber which is clean and looks fine. I think he is leaning toward sending it back. We might take it out one more time and swap some uppers around.

stagpanther · March 11, 2024, 10:50 PM

Quote:

He has tried half a dozen different mags and has inspected the chamber which is clean and looks fine. I think he is leaning toward sending it back. We might take it out one more time and swap some uppers around.

Just my opinion personally--and I've sent LOTS of stuff back to the manufacturers--if the rifle is new and was malfunctioning out of the starting gate, the more you try to "cure it"--the more reasons you give the manufacturer to try to blame it on user error. The good news is that they probably have lots of experience dealing with problems, the better manufacturers most likey will send you a call tag order with no further explanation required (however, being an evil long gun, there may be control issues in the shipping process determined by the shipping companies and state's laws). Others might put one of the engineering experts on the line to give you a bit of a "forensic investigation" to try to get some idea of whether the issue is someone trying to foist a fast one on them or likely has a genuine problem.

**44 AMP** · March 12, 2024, 01:42 AM

Is it still under warranty??

IF so, contact the maker and send it back.

Stop trying to fix it. Unless, of course what you have done already has voided the warranty. if so, then its all on you.

Any, and every new firearm under warranty that consistently malfunctions after a normal break in period NEEDS to go back to the factory. Not you tinker try to fix it, not your local gunsmith try to fix it (unless they are a factory authorized warranty repair station.

There are two reasons for this, first, you paid for a functional firearm, and they should make that right.

Second, sending the gun back tells the maker something is wrong not just with one specific gun, but somewhere in their assembly and QC process.

They can't fix a problem until they know there is a problem, and having to take your gun back and fix it on their dime (under warranty) tells them there is a problem, somewhere, and they will try and find it and fix it. SO sending it back is better for you, you get your gun fixed, and better for them, they get to find and fix their problem so it doesn't keep happening.

yes, its frustrating, but its the right way to do business.

jetinteriorguy · March 12, 2024, 05:01 AM

I’d send it back, and include a damaged round so they can see what’s happening.

ocharry · March 12, 2024, 10:07 AM

yep i agree with stag,44 and jet

send it back and let the builder or company fix it or warranty it...could be something simple or something out of alignment....either way you paid for a working firearm.....and it dont

totaldla · March 12, 2024, 12:39 PM

Barrel nut came loose.

Lurch37 · March 12, 2024, 07:47 PM

I was able to accompany my friend out today and after a couple more different mag changes and swapping in 2 different lowers it became apparent that the upper was the problem area. I can say I think it's in the chamber or feed ramp portion and oddly occurs only when feeding the right hand cartridge.

My friend is going to contact the company and/or place of purchase and arrange to send it back. Thank you all for your help.

Destructo6 · March 13, 2024, 08:53 AM

M4 upper with non M4 barrel extension?

Still, new gun with issues = send it back.

Nathan · March 13, 2024, 05:30 PM

Like the other folks are saying. Working on a new gun that has never worked right is way different that working on a used gun that used to run.

Guns that have never run, likely have a fundamental manufacturing issue like machining out of spec. Guns that ran and then stopped likely need cleaning, part replacement, etc.

Even if he wants to replace every part except the barrel and receiver in some customization, get the new gun to run first.

Dfariswheel · March 13, 2024, 07:37 PM

The standard response to a new firearm that fails to work properly is to send it back.

You paid good money for a good gun and didn't get it.
Make the manufacturer make it right on his dime, that's why they give some sort of warranty.
Most companies today will pay shipping back if you contact them so it shouldn't cost the owner.

March 10, 2024, 08:44 PM	#1
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	AR-15 Feeding Problem Hello all. A friend of mine is having a feeding problem with his AR-15 in which when firing the gun it will jam repeatedly, but only when chambering the right hand side cartridge. He has tried steel and brass cased rounds, with the steel showing a bright scar or scratch horizontally on the upper part of the main case body, under the shoulder. The brass rounds that do not chamber will be actually bent at the same spot on the case. All spent rounds will show this scar or scratch as well. He has switched mags and the BCG with another AR he has, the receiver is clean and oiled, a round will drop in the chamber with no problems, the feed ramps look ok. Still the problem exists. 13232.jpg 13234.jpg __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

March 10, 2024, 11:28 PM	#3
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,803	Looking at the pics I would say the cartridges are not being successfully stripped from the magazines; the bolt carrier is hitting the case body with enough force to dent the cases, even bend the entire cartridge, my guess is the cartridge gets dragged or popped out with the previous feed and is resting at an angle against the barrel extension/magwell when the carrier slams into it. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

March 10, 2024, 11:35 PM	#4
ballardw Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 1,415	With changes of mag and BCG I would suspect something in the magazine is well is making the magazine alignment questionable. Maybe crud, burrs on something or magazine catch? Look inside the well and see if anything appears to be showing more wear or just plain crud caught on something. __________________ -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ All data is flawed, some just less so.

March 11, 2024, 09:17 AM	#6
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 687	i guess my question would be is this a new build or was the rifle running before and this started out of no where?? __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC

March 11, 2024, 10:13 AM	#7
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,977	Is the gun factory built, or home built? __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

March 10, 2024, 10:15 PM	#2
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,834	Something wrong with the right feed ramp? -TL Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

March 11, 2024, 11:49 AM	#8
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	This is a factory built rifle and fairly new with the problem always present. It may have 200 rounds thru it. It is my understanding that when the jams occur the bolt is always behind the round being chambered and sometimes the round is almost fully chambered. He has also tried the forward assist on those jams but that didn't help. I will ask about your other concerns. Thank you. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

March 11, 2024, 03:28 PM	#10
rmh3481 Member Join Date: August 25, 2015 Location: Western Pa Posts: 53	Take a close look in the chamber. There might be a small piece of something stuck down in there.

March 11, 2024, 05:51 PM	#11
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,977	Id say try some different mags, could be a bad mag or spring. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

March 11, 2024, 07:37 PM	#12
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	He has tried half a dozen different mags and has inspected the chamber which is clean and looks fine. I think he is leaning toward sending it back. We might take it out one more time and swap some uppers around. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

March 12, 2024, 01:42 AM	#14
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,860	Is it still under warranty?? IF so, contact the maker and send it back. Stop trying to fix it. Unless, of course what you have done already has voided the warranty. if so, then its all on you. Any, and every new firearm under warranty that consistently malfunctions after a normal break in period NEEDS to go back to the factory. Not you tinker try to fix it, not your local gunsmith try to fix it (unless they are a factory authorized warranty repair station. There are two reasons for this, first, you paid for a functional firearm, and they should make that right. Second, sending the gun back tells the maker something is wrong not just with one specific gun, but somewhere in their assembly and QC process. They can't fix a problem until they know there is a problem, and having to take your gun back and fix it on their dime (under warranty) tells them there is a problem, somewhere, and they will try and find it and fix it. SO sending it back is better for you, you get your gun fixed, and better for them, they get to find and fix their problem so it doesn't keep happening. yes, its frustrating, but its the right way to do business. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

March 12, 2024, 05:01 AM	#15
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,182	I’d send it back, and include a damaged round so they can see what’s happening.

March 12, 2024, 10:07 AM	#16
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 687	yep i agree with stag,44 and jet send it back and let the builder or company fix it or warranty it...could be something simple or something out of alignment....either way you paid for a working firearm.....and it dont __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC

March 12, 2024, 12:39 PM	#17
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,297	Barrel nut came loose. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

March 12, 2024, 07:47 PM	#18
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	I was able to accompany my friend out today and after a couple more different mag changes and swapping in 2 different lowers it became apparent that the upper was the problem area. I can say I think it's in the chamber or feed ramp portion and oddly occurs only when feeding the right hand cartridge. My friend is going to contact the company and/or place of purchase and arrange to send it back. Thank you all for your help. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

March 13, 2024, 08:53 AM	#19
Destructo6 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 1999 Location: Nogales, AZ USA Posts: 4,001	M4 upper with non M4 barrel extension? Still, new gun with issues = send it back. __________________ God gave you a soul. Your parents, a body. Your country, a rifle. Keep all of them clean.

March 13, 2024, 05:30 PM	#20
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,334	Like the other folks are saying. Working on a new gun that has never worked right is way different that working on a used gun that used to run. Guns that have never run, likely have a fundamental manufacturing issue like machining out of spec. Guns that ran and then stopped likely need cleaning, part replacement, etc. Even if he wants to replace every part except the barrel and receiver in some customization, get the new gun to run first.

March 13, 2024, 07:37 PM	#21
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	The standard response to a new firearm that fails to work properly is to send it back. You paid good money for a good gun and didn't get it. Make the manufacturer make it right on his dime, that's why they give some sort of warranty. Most companies today will pay shipping back if you contact them so it shouldn't cost the owner.